Matakana: High-tech homestead

The computer wizardry concealed in this rural house adds comfort to country living.

70 Anderson Road, Matakana. The Melling family's Matakana house looks right at home in the countryside, despite packing high-tech features more often found in city mansions.

The five-year-old house has a timeless country ambience thanks to classical features such as heart matai detailing, arched windows in the formal lounge and a shingled roof, unsullied by aerials.

But appearances can be deceiving, as care was taken to discretely incorporate modern features such as motion-activated lights, invisible speakers, a sound-proofed mini picture theatre and a sophisticated security configuration boasting more than 200 sensors. The two schist-covered turrets flanking the front door house an airflow control system to complement the home's air conditioning.

Jason and Rachael bought here 18 months ago and mastered the modern features after an initial hiccup.

"When we first moved in we had all the lights on for a week because we couldn't work out how to turn them off," Rachael admits with a grin.

The Mellings have three children and were attracted by the home's size - more than 500sqm of living, spread along three wings anchored by a central entrance atrium. Jason says "It's a big house and we're into big things - big house, big cars."

The 180,000 litre water tank is certainly sizeable, sitting underneath the house for aesthetic reasons. There's never a shortage of water to wash down after the Mellings have been enjoying their muddiest hobby - motocross biking.

Rachael loves the home's layout, explaining how one wing is devoted to living and the other two to sleeping.

"We're still quite young and we work hard and play hard, so it's good to be able to put the kids to bed, go down the other end and have a bit of fun without waking them up."

That work hard ethic sees Jason commuting to his business in Penrose each morning, a journey he can polish off in an hour and a quarter if he avoids rush hour.

The living wing has a separate living room, formal dining room and a family room where you'll often find the Mellings chalking up their pool cues. Next door the designer kitchen is distinctive because of a recurring use of curves, from the central island bench to the cupboards. There's also a sizeable purpose-build mini theatre. Its sound-proofing allows Rachael to loudly sing along to Singstar karaoke without disturbing the rest of the household.

Dividing the wings is the central entrance foyer, where a bridge looks down on an open aquarium. All three bedrooms have their own en suites, one with a stylish slipper bath. This end of the home also houses an office (with PABX system), wine cellar and laundry.

In summer the Mellings spend much of their time in the north-facing back yard. This looks out to the cabana - a separate guest house with lounge, bedroom, bathroom, a full kitchen and even a sauna.

The couple enjoy seeing Kurt, 13, Samara, 3, and Tristran, 2, reaping the benefits of a rural lifestyle. Kurt has already made money from selling the offspring of his own flock of sheep. Jason explains the family's love of the land means they now want to buy a farm.

"We're tied up in the meat industry and we want to get into farming as well, to tie those two businesses together."

Vital Statistics:

BEDROOMS: 3*

BATHROOMS: 4*

GARAGE: 4

*Plus separate self-contained guest-house with bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and sauna.

SIZE: Land 1.55 ha, house 561sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $3 million. Sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Mike Turner, Ray White, ph 027 476 1939 or 09 477 2788 bus.

FEATURES: Luxurious five-year-old country residence with separate, self-contained guest house on a lifestyle block with scenic bush views. Mini-theatre, wine cellar, sauna. Sophisticated security, communications and temperature control systems.